4 ms·
But what's the difference really? Zynga games vs. non-Zynga games, slot machines vs. WoW, and games vs drugs? All of these things are designed to let you go so
by mikescar 14y ago
But what's the difference really? Zynga games vs. non-Zynga games, slot machines vs. WoW, and games vs drugs?
All of these things are designed to let you go somewhere else for a while. I partake in all of them, but also spend time volunteering and going outside.
I don't get the author's argument about how much better he is than slot machine players because he spends his free time using more intricate games than they do. Not to mention he gets about half his assumptions wrong, as pointed out in this thread. As in, which casinos charge money for drinks to anyone who's playing a game?
- tatsuke95 14y ago>"As in, which casinos charge money for drinks to anyone who's playing a game?" Every casino I've been to, ever.
- recursive 14y agoI went to Vegas once. One night I hit a few casinos. I drank a fair amount, and didn't pay for one.
- tatsuke95 14y agoI think Vegas is the exception, to be honest. And it's ruined my perception! Before I was old enough to visit the casinos, I assumed they all served free drinks. I've never experienced it (though 90% of my trips are within Canada).
- damian2000 14y agoThe difference is money, i.e. how much money they can get out of the gamer during the course of his 'addiction'.
- vacri 14y agoFree drinks are for the high rollers, not the punters.
- mdonahoe 14y agoThis is my test: If the designer doesn't enjoy playing the game himself, it isn't a real game. It is a con.
- octaveguin 14y agoWhat about games designed for a different demographic? These measurements tend to get muddy quickly when you compare a game that a designers might like to play - TF2, LoL, WoW - to those commonly called evil - farmville. The games designers love are slot machines too, are free to play too, and are 'addictive' too but are skinned differently. Is farmville only unethical because it's a farm?
- JonnieCache 14y agoIn that other big fancy article (it was almost a book) about zynga from last year, the guy compared good games developers to weed dealers (faith in the product,) and zynga to crack dealers (never touch the stuff.) I thought that was nice.
- uvTwitch 14y agoNintendo games are like cannabis. Blizzard games are like alcohol. Both fine in moderation. Zynga games are like Krokodil. ( Russian gutter drug, known for causing the skin to rot away. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2078355,00.html http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2078355,00.htm... )